Abstract
This paper focuses on a painting of the Finnish singer Aino Ackté. This gifted young beauty inspired Albert Edelfelt to make a series of portraits in 1900-1905. The singer and the painter, who was curator of the Finnish pavilion at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900, spread cultural propaganda and sought support for Finland’s autonomy which was severely threatened by oppressive Russian action. This paper, with its interdisciplinary approach involving a conservator and an art historian, aims to show how technical art history reveals Edelfelt’s shift to colour asceticism, a term linking artists such as Velázquez, Manet and Whistler. By studying his writings and letters referring to fin-de-siècle modernism and political history, and by relating them to an analysis of hiS painting techniques and materials, Edelfelt can be connected to a new interpretation of the map of Symbolism.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
